Abundance vs Poverty
Giving What We Have, Where We Are
SCRIPTURE:
Mark 12:44 NKJV - "For they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."
OBSERVATION:
Today, we consider the widow who gave out of her poverty and the rich who gave out of their abundance. I want to look beyond “physical” giving. I am not saying we should not give to God, nor that our giving should be out of obligation rather than out of love and a cheerful heart. All of that is true. I want to look at something we all have that is precious to us… TIME.
In our service, we can be like the rich, thinking that when I have “more,” I will give more, but we don’t see the attitude of the widow. I will give what I can, when I can.
The issue is that when you and I base our service to God on when we have time, we will never have it. The Young Adult says, “When I am an adult…” The Adult says, “When I retire….” The Retiree says, “I am too tired. I’ve done my part; I've given to the Lord. What more can I do?” It’s the dilemma that plagues the church today.
How can you and I serve God where we are today? Do you have an abundance of time? Serve abundantly. If you lack time, serve when you can.
It’s not about Abundance vs. Poverty; it’s about serving God, whether in great or small ways.
APPLICATION:
Today, we can choose to serve God or not. This is not a guilt trip, but hopefully an inspiration to see that we can still serve God even in the “poverty” of time, just as the widow did. It will be a blessing to God, just as she gave all that she had. So too, we can give all that we have.
How does the Lord want to use you? It may be in a small or great way. The size or amount doesn’t matter; it’s the doing that counts. Serve the Lord today, don’t wait. Time will NEVER be in abundance. Give the Lord your time cheerfully, and watch Him bless you as you do it!
PRAYER:
Jesus, even as a “Pastor,” I struggle to find time to serve. I work “full-time” in ministry, yet I still feel I have little time. Often, I fall into the trap of not serving YOU. How can I serve YOU today, in the “poverty” of my time? Change my heart to see what I CAN do, not what I HAVE to do.
Mark 12:44 NKJV - "For they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."
OBSERVATION:
Today, we consider the widow who gave out of her poverty and the rich who gave out of their abundance. I want to look beyond “physical” giving. I am not saying we should not give to God, nor that our giving should be out of obligation rather than out of love and a cheerful heart. All of that is true. I want to look at something we all have that is precious to us… TIME.
In our service, we can be like the rich, thinking that when I have “more,” I will give more, but we don’t see the attitude of the widow. I will give what I can, when I can.
The issue is that when you and I base our service to God on when we have time, we will never have it. The Young Adult says, “When I am an adult…” The Adult says, “When I retire….” The Retiree says, “I am too tired. I’ve done my part; I've given to the Lord. What more can I do?” It’s the dilemma that plagues the church today.
How can you and I serve God where we are today? Do you have an abundance of time? Serve abundantly. If you lack time, serve when you can.
It’s not about Abundance vs. Poverty; it’s about serving God, whether in great or small ways.
APPLICATION:
Today, we can choose to serve God or not. This is not a guilt trip, but hopefully an inspiration to see that we can still serve God even in the “poverty” of time, just as the widow did. It will be a blessing to God, just as she gave all that she had. So too, we can give all that we have.
How does the Lord want to use you? It may be in a small or great way. The size or amount doesn’t matter; it’s the doing that counts. Serve the Lord today, don’t wait. Time will NEVER be in abundance. Give the Lord your time cheerfully, and watch Him bless you as you do it!
PRAYER:
Jesus, even as a “Pastor,” I struggle to find time to serve. I work “full-time” in ministry, yet I still feel I have little time. Often, I fall into the trap of not serving YOU. How can I serve YOU today, in the “poverty” of my time? Change my heart to see what I CAN do, not what I HAVE to do.
God is honored not by how much we have, but by our willingness to give Him what we have right now—even when time feels scarce.
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